Wallabies expect star playmakers to have recovered forWales
AUSTRALIA expect star half-backs Bernard Foley and Will Genia to be fit for Saturday’s clash with Wales at the Principality Stadium.
The pair sat out the 63-30 demolition job on Japan in Yokohama at the weekend, with outside-half Foley having lost nearly half a stone to a stomach bug and scrum-half Genia nursing a calf injury.
But the word from the Wallabies, who have set up camp in Cardiff, is their key men will be back in harness as Michael Cheika’s charges attempt to extend their unbeaten streak to 13 over Wales.
Australia haven’t lost since being pipped 35-29 by the All Blacks in New Zealand in August, gaining revenge with a 23-18 Bledisloe Cup win against the world champions in Brisbane.
They’re without star full-back and try machine Israel Folau, who has touched down 12 times this year for an Australian record, after he invoked a clause in his contract to miss the trip to Europe.
Kurtley Beale wore No.15 against Japan and had a hand in four of their tries, but Cheika could move him back to No.12 as a second play-maker and pick union convert Karmichael Hunt at fullback.
Other options would be for Hunt to line up in midfield or stick with the strongman centre pairing of Tevita Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi.
Kuridrani, who scored in the 32-8 thrashing of Wales a year ago, bagged a hat-trick and Kerevi a brace as they ran amok during a nine-try romp in Japan.
Reece Hodge called the shots from outside-half, but will revert to the wing in Cardiff if Foley comes through training this week.
Genia has this year regained the form which made him one of the best scrum-halves in the world and missed the meeting with the Brave Blossoms as a precaution.
Wales have beaten Australia only once during Warren Gatland’s reign as coach, in their first meeting of 2008, and are desperate to break the Wallaby strangehold.
Before last year’s 32-8 hiding, the previous 10 matches between the countries had been decided by fewer than 10 points.
Beale compared that record to Australia’s against New Zealand before ending their drought at Suncorp Stadium last month.
“We know that feeling so that gives us a bit of a background what they’ll be feeling leading into this game,” said the former Wasps player.
“It’s going to put extra focus on our preparation so we get the job done.
“We have always backed ourselves to get them in the final minutes and that’s the same mindset we’ve been taking through The Rugby Championship.
“The Welsh always pick a big forward pack that just loves the physicality and big, dynamic backs. You know it is going to be a confrontation.
“One of the best things about rugby is being able to experience the Principality Stadium, the crowd and an atmosphere that’s one of the best in the world.”
Beale broke Welsh hearts in 2012 when he was on the end of a length of the field attack to score the winner in the dying seconds.